Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[The Transporter]

Well, I have started to strip the head off my new purchase, a 97 XJ 4 litre.... Classic symptoms of pressurised hoses, lots of water from the exhaust, water and exhaust fumes blowing from the radiator filler.... It seems that cylinder 2 is the issue, the exhaust port is red with rust whilst the others are black.....More worryingly, it seems that the head has been off not too long ago, when I stuck my viewer into the spark plug hole the piston seemed newer than the rest and there was a tatered looking piston in the boot ..... but when I managed to fire the engine, although it was a little lumpy from the loss of compression the engine did sound quiet....This is going to be a fun one.....

[Jeepjedi]

Feel for ya dude, never fun but not that common I believe. you running LPG??

[Green Jeep]

Head gaskets ain't a common problem, I'm on Jeep number 23 and only had to replace one...

Top tip, leave the manifolds on the head, some of the bolts are hard to get at and you'll lose lots of time... much easier to leave them on and then take them off when the whole lot is off... and you'll need a deep 1/2" 12 sided socket for the head bolts.

Could be poor servicing and the oil ways to the pistons have become blocked, this will cause red valves. I also have issues with number two cylinder... had a cracked piston and now it appears that the valve is burnt out as lower compression on that one... will build up spare head and swap next Saturday afternoon, happy days...

[The Transporter]

Jedi, this one has never been on LPG...

Maf, generally this one seems to have been well maintained. The deep socket is the reason why the head is still on, I'll pick one up in a day or two so I can find out whats been going on inside... The manifold bolts weren't too bad to get to but putting them back in may be another matter.....the piston that I found in the boot had a cracked crown and it appeared to be burnt on one side, I'll fish it out of the bin and take a photo of it ..

[The Transporter]

Well, I finally got round to pulling the head last night and on initial inspection it seems like I'm going to be a lucky bunny... I noted that some of the head studs were nowhere near as tight as others, perhaps they hadn't been torqued down properly when piston Number two was replaced. There was no major damage to the gasket other then some water staining so once I have a close look at the head to check for cracks and drop it onto a sheet of glass to make sure that the head is still flat, the head can be refitted with a new gasket.

Cylinder number two has had a new piston and a close inspection of the cylinder did show some very light scoring but I doubt that it would be an issue.... Photographs to follow.

[Marconi]

Hi got similar prob myself with 86 cj7 2.5 4cly- got the soapy stuff in the filler cap and the dip is messy - and throwing oil out top- but- oil filler cap isn't tight fit and dip has been like that since had the car -5 years- never overheats or anywhere near it- never usus any coolant which is the right colour - and doesn't seem to use any oil- always starts ok when cold -sometimes coughs and splutters a bit a few mins after I drive off but a bit of revs does the trick and I always put that down to the auto choke- never let me down

 Considering an engine swap for a 4.2 anyone got one or know where I can get one - new or used and any idea cost? Otherwise it's a nice jeep - first time I've asked a question so HELP

[The Transporter]

Oh BORROX!
How could I have missed these cracks the other night!

Anyone got a decent 4 litre cylinder head that they want to sell?

[The Transporter]

Fortunately the rest of the block seems to be ok, though there are some score marks in cylinder 2 where the pison has been replaced but I'm not too worried about those....

[The Transporter]

Hi got similar prob myself with 86 cj7 2.5 4cly- got the soapy stuff in the filler cap and the dip is messy - and throwing oil out top- but- oil filler cap isn't tight fit and dip has been like that since had the car -5 years- never overheats or anywhere near it- never usus any coolant which is the right colour - and doesn't seem to use any oil- always starts ok when cold -sometimes coughs and splutters a bit a few mins after I drive off but a bit of revs does the trick and I always put that down to the auto choke- never let me down

 Considering an engine swap for a 4.2 anyone got one or know where I can get one - new or used and any idea cost? Otherwise it's a nice jeep - first time I've asked a question so HELP

Hi Marconi... I'm afraid that I don't know much about CJs but there are a few guys here who know them inside out.. You are best introducing yourself in the general section and having a trawl through the Exchange and mart section further down